Caisse d'Epargne

Savings Bank, which is what it is. Perhaps they should rename the squad Bike Team and be done with it. Their logo is a squirrel.

Tour heritage

Bike Team have their roots in a squad backed by Reynolds Aluminium which first rode the Tour in 1983 and later morphed into Banesto who won five Tours on the trot with Miguel Induráin. Went through a lean spell when sponsored by the Balearic Islands (really) but with Savings Bank they are flush again. Stage wins under the squirrel: 0. Go, Bike Team.

Past controversies

Questions are being asked about team leader Alejandro Valverde's alleged involvement in Puerto, which he denies. They've also hired Ruben Plaza and Constantino Zaballa, both linked to the inquiry.

In the coffers

Savings Bank is both saving and banking its cash, handing Bike Team £4.7m pocket money.

The boss

José-Miguel Echavarri, a supreme talent scout who spotted climber Perico Delgado in the early 1980s, then picked up Induráin. Gnomic, with a Cantona-esque talent for odd phrases like "the final week of the Tour is a funeral cortege".

Team leader

Valverde is the most talented cyclist in Spain, an all-rounder capable of making the top three. Le Tour has not been a happy hunting ground, though: he won a stage in 2005 but soon quit with knee trouble; last year he skidded around on his face in Holland.

Wild man of the saddle

Oscar Pereiro was the man every team manager overlooked when he got in an escape last year en route to Montelimar. He gained 29 minutes and a slot on the podium which could turn into overall victory if Floyd Landis's positive test for testosterone is upheld.

They'll be happy with ...

A podium place for Valverde, Pereiro or the Russian Vladimir "Red" Karpets. Also a stage win for one of the French contingent such as the talented Florent Brard.

Fans will paint on the road

"Magic Karpets"; "Oscar wild"; "Nuts to non-squirrels"

William Fotheringham predicts

Pereiro may have been a one-off, so Valverde is the better bet - so long as the Puerto allegations are false.

If they were cheese... Roquefort

Big-name veteran with deep pockets and an illustrious history. Some call it the king of cheeses: powerful, domineering and always there or thereabouts on special occasions. As ever, visible veins will be testament to the quality.